Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2023 |20 January 2023
President Ramkalawan (left) and President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr with the panel moderator Eleni Giokos, CNN anchor and correspondent
President advocates for small island nations
Seychelles’ president, Wavel Ramkalawan, has shared his perspective on the roles and responsibilities of nation leaders in climate control, combating climate change and achieving net zero.
This was during a panel conversation, alongside the President of Palau, Surangel S. Whipps, Jr, at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2023, which was moderated by CNN anchor and correspondent, Eleni Giokos.
President Ramkalawan had the opportunity to share real life examples and efforts being implemented by Seychelles as a small island developing state (Sids) in the Indian Ocean.
“Seychelles, like all Sids will continue to keep moving forward. Our existence is being threatened. Being small, remote and vulnerable to various external shocks, means we will not be able to overcome these challenges including climate change on our own. We are counting on the support of all stakeholders. The world has become more globalized and multilateralism will be more important than ever to the small states as it provides more access to the global fora, allowing us to be heard, to address our unique social, economic, and environmental challenges and to find solutions together with the rest of the world,” said President Ramkalawan.
The session was hosted by Masdar as part of the ADSW, which convened various world leaders – from government, business and finance – to take action, as they continue to work collectively to deliver on a climate roadmap for a net-zero future.
President Ramkalawan highlighted some of Seychelles’ conservation efforts focusing on how Seychelles has now moved to 100 percent protection of all its mangroves and seagrass meadows, adding to the already 32 percent protection of its ocean and 50 percent of its forest.
The event is also playing a vital role in not only advocacy but in ensuring momentum between COP27 and COP28, focusing on a wide range of critical topics including Food and Water Security, Energy Access, Industrial Decarbonization, Health, and Climate Adaptation.
During the session other topics such as impact of climate change on small nations, the importance of the Conference of the Parties (COP) process to small nations, examining what the country is doing to adapt to climate change and the latest trends shaping the world’s sustainability agenda, were also addressed.
Among some of the dignitaries present included the chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, His Excellency Engineer Awaidha Al Marar, who delivered the opening address during the panel session. Also present was the Former President of Seychelles, James Michel, who following the panel discussion expressed appreciation on how President Ramkalawan defended and promoted Seychelles.
Press release from State House